For more than 50 years, Avila's Restaurant has been dishing out quality Mexican food and consistent good service.

That's what the owners say they strive for day in and day out, and it's what El Pasoans want to reward.

The restaurant, which has two locations, was voted as the Best Mexican Restaurant in the El Paso Times Best of the Border contest.

Andy Avila, who runs the Avila's at 6232 N. Mesa, with his sister Annette Avila Chavez, said not much has changed -- either in food or service -- since his grandfather Evaristo Avila and his father, Guillermo Avila, opened the business in 1952 in the Toltec Building Downtown.

"My dad and grandfather always said someone had to be there at the restaurant to overlook the business," he said. "And that's what me and my sister do. And we also have consistency with the food and good service."

The restaurant's reputation for good food has reached beyond the Southwest. For about four years, the restaurant has been featured in Hispanic Magazine's "Top 50 Hispanic Restaurants."

Nevertheless, Avila is humbled by the local honor.

"It's quite an honor, considering El Paso has so many Mexican restaurants."

Devoted diners may be surprised to find that the owners of Avila's are related to the owners of another popular Mexican restaurant and Best of the Border nominee -- Leo's. Evaristo Avila married Carmen Terrazas -- the sister of Leo's co-founder Willie Terrazas Sr.

In fact, the Avila elders opened their restaurant under the name Leo's. It wasn't until a few locations later, when Andy Avila's brother Bill Avila and his wife, Carol, opened his restaurant on the East Side in 1983, that the two restaurants became Avila's.

Among the restaurant's signature dishes is the chile con queso, made with white cheddar cheese and long green chile.

"A lot of people like it with the steaks," Andy Avila said.

Bill Avila said he also introduced fajitas as a dish in El Paso when he opened his restaurant.

"I saw it in another part of Texas and after talking to people on how it was made, with the marinade, introduced it here."

After decades of running their restaurants, the Avilas are sure they have seen generations of families at their restaurants.

"We're probably on the fifth generation ... and half of our customers don't even open their menus. They just order the same thing," Bill Avila said.

Eastsider Robert Reveles, a real estate appraiser, is one of those loyal customers. He said he eats at the 10600 Montana location three to five times a week.

"The food is great, but it's really the people -- from the hostess and wait staff to the management. They just make you feel welcome every time," he said. "The most important thing to me is the atmosphere. You can go to any restaurant that serves the best meal -- but if it doesn't have good customer service, it's not worth going."

María Cortés González may be reached at mcortes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6150.